Hoi An Ancient Town

 

  • Location: Hoi An Town 560000, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam
  • Opening hour: Access all day
  • Entrance ticket: 120,000 VND (Hoi An ancient town is open to the public free of charge. Some scenic spots are subject to a fee.)

 

Located on the north side of Thu Bon River in central Vietnam’s Quang Nam province, 30 km from downtown Da Nang city, Hoi An Ancient Town is a well-preserved traditional trading port in Southeast Asia from the 15th to the 19th century. In 1999, Hoi An Ancient Town was included in UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The old town of hoi an was once selected as one of the top ten tourist cities in Asia that attract lots of travelers over the world.

 

History of Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An Ancient Town

As a seaport city, Hoi An has a history of 1,500 years. In the 5th century AD, during the period of the Cham Kingdom, Hoi An used to be a famous port called "the mouth of the sea." Developed into the 16th century, it has evolved into one of Southeast Asia's most important trade exchange centers. In the 18th century, due to the long and fierce power struggles of the Vietnamese kings, the development was constrained, and Hoi An was almost abandoned. At the end, this natural port finally silted up. In the 1880s, UNESCO carried out a large-scale renovation of Hoi An Port, bringing it back to its former glory.

 

The development of ancient Hoi An Port experienced four stages: formation-development-prosperity-decline. Among them, the development and prosperity stages are the most splendid period of Hoi An Port. During the formation and development period of more than a thousand years, merchant ships from China, Japan, Southeast Asia and South Asia traded in Hoi An Port, and Hui'an Port was ranked among the top ports in the East.

 

Architectural Feature of Hoi An Ancient Town

In Hoi An, Chinese and Japanese-style buildings all over the town, and they are preserved intact. They have not been destroyed by the war, nor have they been demolished due to the construction of high-rise buildings. Plenty of ancient buildings and ancient streets in Hoi An, which are preserved today, reflect the organic combination of Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese culture and architectural style. The layout of the street and the style of the building not only show the simplicity and elegance of the Chinese architecture, but also integrate the natural aesthetics and life of the local people. Visitors can appreciate the ancient cultural traditions and feel the strong regional flavor.

 

Attractions of Hoi An Ancient Town

Chinese Style Assembly Halls

Chinese style assembly halls

The Chinese settled in Hoi An built their own assembly hall according to their country of origin, and in Vietnamese it is called “Hoi Quan” for social gatherings, conferences and celebrations. According to the ethnic divisions of different regions of China, there are Fujian Gang, Guangdong Gang, Chaozhou Gang, Hainan Gang and Hakka Gang. The Fujian Assembly Hall, the Cantonese Assembly Hall(Guang Dong), the Chaozhou Assembly Hall, the Qiongfu Assembly Hall and the Chinese Assembly Hall were built successively. The buildings of Assembly Hall are grand and majestic, resplendent and magnificent. The halls are dedicated to Mazu, Guan Gong, General Fubo, etc., and the incense is lingering all year round.

 

Japanese Covered Bridge

Japanese Covered Bridge

Japanese Covered Bridge is one of the most famous iconic landmarks in Hoi An old town. The stone bridge was built in the Year of the Monkey (1593) and finished in the Year of the Dog (1595) by the Japanese merchants, so there are two beautiful statues of dogs at the west end of the bridge and two monkey statues at the east end. The function of this bridge was to connect the Chinese community and the Japanese community. Inside the bridge is a small shrine dedicated to the Taoist Jade Emperor, but it is said that this was later added by the locals as Taoism has never really been popular in Japan.

 

Phung Hung Old House

Situated opposite the Japanese Covered Bridge, Phung Huang Old House is one of the grandest and most impressive old houses in Hoi An. The history of the house dates back to 1780 and has been inhabited by the same family ever since. They made a fortune by selling glassware, spices and woods. The house incorporates elements of traditional Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture, with two floors and is supported by eighty wooden posts. In addition to this, Tan Ky Old House, Duc An Old House, Quan Tang Old House and Tran Family Chapel are also worth to visit.

 

Quan Cong Temple

Quan Cong Temple

The temple was built in 1653 to commemorate Quan Cong, the Chinese general of Han Dynasty. He is a talented and noble general who is a symbol of courage, loyalty, piety, moderation and justice in the feudal era of China. Inside the temple, three statues are worshipped by locals: statue of Quan Cong(in the middle), statue of Quan Binh(right side) and the statue of Chau Thuong(left side). The Quan Cong temple festival is held on 13 of the first lunar month and 24 of the sixth lunar month every year., which attract plenty of believers and pilgrims from all over the country.

 

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